Type-writer attachment.



PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

W. 0'. PLANK.

TYPE WRITER ATTACHMENT.

APPLIOATIDN FILED SEPT. 5, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mvm'ron WQZZZ'QWZC'IPZQM A TTOHNE y No. 843,360. PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

W. G. PLANK.

TYPE WRITER ATTACHMENT.

- APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 5, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTO} i/ZZZZlZl/L Cf [ail/5) ATTORNEYS" the has and ws and injuring the appearance of the type-written papers.

WILLIAM CHARLES PLANK,

Parana @FFIQE.

OF LAS FLORES, MEXICO.

TYPE-WRITER ATTACHMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907'.

Application filed September 5. 1905. Serial No. 277,003-

l'l') 1r]! IIlI/HIL ii 711/1111 concern.

Be it known that LWILLiAM CHARLES PLANK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Las Flores, Lower California, Mexico, have invented a new and 1m roved TypeWVriter Attachment, of which t e following is a full, clear, and exact description.

()ne of the objections which has been made to type-writing machines as they are now constructed is the use of the same spacing for all letters, resulting in the crampingof T he principal object of the present invention is to provide means for allowing the carriage to move varying distances, according to the letters struck, so as to provide a uniform spacing between the adjacent letters instead of a uniform spacing between the centers of the letters. This will greatly improve the appearance of type-written work, and the result is accomplished without greatly modifying the construction of ordi nary type writing machines and permits the use of regulation printing-type. It also allows the use of capitals without striking the spacing-bar afterward.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of ref erence indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 1s a sectional View on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2, showing a portion of a keyboard in plan with one form of my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1., showing an escapernent. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 1 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a detail.

My invention is designed to be applied to an ordinary keyboard 'without changing the same, except to provide letters of regulation space instead of the letters which are peculiar to type-writers. The key-levers 10 are operated as usual and are designed to operate means for providing the uniform spacing when they are depressed. l have shown this means in the following form: A shaft 11 is mounted to oscillate in bearings on the frame of the machine. To this shaft are rigidly secured a series of arms 12. These arms have different lengths, according to the space occupied by the regulation letter Whichis to be printed. Each of the arms is located with a portion (shown in the present 3 direction.

instance in the form of a projection 13) ex tending into the path traversed by the corresponding kev-lever. Consequently when the key is depressed it will result in the dcpression of the correspomling arm, and the latter will result in the oscillation of the shaft 11 and the elevation of a lever 1-1 connected therewith. This lever is ordinarily kept in a lowered position and the arms 12 in an elevated position by means of a spring 15 or the like. The lever 1-1 is connected by a link 16 with a device for controlling the motion of the carriage, this device preferably ,being in the form of an escapcment, which will be described below.

It will be noticed that the arms 12 are of different lengths, or rather that the portions thereofwlich engage the key-levers are located at different distances from the shaft 11. This is to provide for oscillating the shaft different distances, according to the key which is struck. For example, the levers which control the wide letters, as 111" and w, are located above the sloit arms 12, so that by depressing the keys the necessary distance, which is uniform, the lever H will be elevated at maximum distance. The longest arms 12, which are located under the keys for the short lcttersas i, for instance-will obviously not elevate the lever 14 as far as the others, and the intermediate arms will be c eratcd. to elevate the lever an intermediate istance.

In order to adapt the device for use on those machines which employ a shift-key for printing capitals and other characters. the shaft 11 is made longitudinally slidable in its bearings a short distance and is provided with a fixed collar 17. A spring in is provided for normally forcing the shaft in one The .'ftkey 19 is provided with an extension 20, which has a lug '21, provided with. an inclined surface. This lug is adapted to come in contact with the collar 17 upon the downward motion of the key and move the shaft slightly to the right or left, as the case may be. This will move all of the arms 12 out of position to be operated by the key levers and move a series of corrcspoinliug arms 22 into such position. These corresponding arms will be given the necessary len ths in order to provide for the proper shifting of the carriage to arronnmnlaic itilower-case characters.

While it will be undcrstmnl that the portion .of the invention which i. have so in) det I; I p scribed can be used in many forms of escapement devices, I have designed an esca elows: When a key ee as sliown in Fig. the action of the stud 32, keeps the teeth 30 in engagement meritttnat is particularly valuable in t is connection, and I will now, proceed to describe it.

Connected with the link 16 is a rocking member 23. This is'pivoted on a shaft24,

which carries the'usual pinion 25, meshing with the rack 26 offthe carriage. On this shaft alsois an escapement-wheel' 27 of the usual or any desired character. These parts can be replaced by any other arrrangement which is connected with the carriage of a type-writer for moving it.- Itwill be under-v stood that the carnage-spring.(not shown) .operates to move the shaft 24 and the two wheels thereon in the direction indicated by the arrow. A pawl 28 is pivoted on a stud '29 on the frame of the machine and is pro-.

vided with a tooth. 30 for enga ing the teeth of the escapement-wheel 27. It is also provided with a shoulder 31, upon which the Weight of the rocking member 23 rests. It will be observed that when the rocking memberris in depressed position and resting on the shoulder 31 ittends to keep the tooth 30 in engagement with v merit-wheel. The pawl 28 is provided with a stud 32, which is adapted to control the motion of a second pawl 33, which is pivoted upon the rocking member 23. This pawl is provided with a tooth 34 for engaging the teeth of the escapeinent-wl3eel and with a curved slot 35, tr-rough which the stud 32 projects and by which its motion is in part controlled. The peculiarformof the ipper art of the pawl 33 is such that it has a pro- ]ection at the point 36, which is normally engaged by a spring37, attached-to the frame .of the machine. This spring is provided with a curved. portion 38. j

Theoperatio'n of the escapement is as folis pressed, the key-lever bears upon one of the arms 12 or 22, as the case may be, giving an upward movement to the link 16, as has-been described. This movement is transmitted to the rocking member 23 to raise it. As this member moves upwardly the pressure on the shoulder 31 is removed, but at the same time the upward movement of the pawl 33, which is ressed against by the spring 37, tends to the lower end of this pawl to the right,

3, ..-,nd consequently, through with the escapement-wheel.

Therefore the esc..pement-wheel is held in fixed position andthe pawl 33 moves upwardly, while the pawl 28 is left in stationmy position. When the rocking member reaches the limit of its upward motion, the curved portion 38 of the spring 37 acts u (.11 the pro ection 36 tohrce the tooth 34 nto engagement with the escapement-wheel. This turning of the pawl 33 moves the stud the teeth of the escape described above.

"ing therefrom in 32 and disengages the tooth 30 fron. the escapement wheel. This operation will ermit the carriage-spring to, act on the she. t 24 and turn the escapernent-wheel a distance determined-by the travel of which is equal to that of therocking member and is determined b the arms 12 and 22, as pon the completion of the downward stroke the rocking member strikes the shoulder 28 to'move inwardly, so that the tooth 30 Will engage the teeth of the escapementwheel, and this motion istransmitted through. the stud 32 to the pawl 33 to. disengage the tooth Byadjusting the size of the teethv and the relation of the wheel27 to the pinion a range of spacing may be obtained that will suffice for all practical purposes;

. Having thus described my invention, I claim as Patent 7 1. In a machine having a keyboard, the combination of a shaftirnounted to oscillate, a series of arms of different lengths on said shaft, and extending the shaft, the said arms being each located in position to be c "erated by one of said keys, a lever connecte w ith said shaft and extend: a-direction opposite the said arms, a linlvconnected extending upward therefrom, and means for transmitting motion from said link to a movable part of the-machine.

'2. In a machine having a keyboard, the combination of a shaft mounted to oscillate, a series of arms on said shaft, each having an upwardly-projecting portion extending into a position to be moved by the keys when the latter are operated, said arms extending in one direction from the shaft and to difierent distances according to the space. occupied by the corresponding key, a lever connected with said shaft and extending therefrom in a direction opposite the said arms and an operating member connected with said lever.

In a machine having a keyboard, the combination of a shaft mountedv to oscillate, a series of arms rigidlysecured to said shaft, each having a projecting portion extending into a position to be moved by the keys when. the latter are operated, said arms extending from the shaft to different distances according to the space occupied b the corresionding key, a lever connecte with said shaft, resilient means for normal] keeping said lever in lowered position, an e the said arms in extreme elevated position for being engaged by the key-levers, and a feeding dee vice controlled from the said lever.

4. In a machine having akeyboaird, '-the \r2 5 shaft mounted to oscillate, shaft extendingppwardlintothe path of. motion of 13 the pawl 33, 7o

31 and forces the pawl 75 new and desireato secure by Letters in one direction from 0 I wlth said lever, and

LII

the levers of the keyboard, said arms engaging the levers of the keyboard at different distances from the shaft, according to the width of the character represented by the keys, a lever connected with the shaft. and extending therefrom in a direction opposite the said arms, a spring connected with the .lever for normally keeping the same in a lowered position and the arms in an elevated position, a feeding device, and means connected with said lever for controlling the operation of said feeding device.

5. In a machine having a keyboard, the combination of an oscillaiable and longitudinally-movable shaft, two series of arms mounted thereon and adapted to be. engaged by the levers of the keyboard, a fixed collar on said shaft, a spring engaging said collar for moving the shaft in one direction, and a shift-key for moving the shaft in the other direction, in order to present a different set of arms in posiiionto be opera'i ed by the keylevers, the said shift-key having an extension and provided with a lug on said extension having an inclined surface adapted to engage the collar on said shaft.

6..ln a machine having a keyboard, the combinaiion of an oscillatable and longitudinally-movable shaft, two series of arms alternately mounted on said shaft, said arms being adapted to be engaged by the key-levers, and. means for shifting said shaft to present a different set of arms to the key-levers; said means comprising a projection on the. shaft, and a shift-key provided with a projection having an inclined surface adapted to engage said first-mentioned rojection.

7. In a machine having a :eyboard, the combination of a feeding device including an escapement-wheel and a pawl having a tooth for engaging the escapement-wheel, a rocking member, a pawl carried by said rocking member and having a tooth for engaging the escapement-whee'. a connect-ion between the said pawls, whereby when one of the pawls is moved into engagement with the escapementwheel the other pawl is disengaged from said wheel, an oscillatable shaft, a series of arms rigidly secured to said shaft and located in posit-ion to be operated by the keys of the 'eyboard, the said arms being constructed and adapted to oscillate the shaft different distances, a lever connected with the shaft, and a link connecting said lever with the rocking member.

8. In a machine having a keyboard, the combination of a feeding device, comprising an escapement-wheel, a pawl having a tooth for engaging the escapement-wheel, a movj able member, a pawl carried by said movable member and having a toot h. for engaging the escapement-wheel, a connection. between. the l said pawls, whereby when one of the pawls is moved into engagement with the escapement-Wheel, the other pawl 1s disengaged from said wheel, and a series oi elements is rated in position to be operated by the keys of the keyboard, said elements being 'on nected Wii 11 said member and l eingconstrurted and adapted to operate the member dil ferent distances in accordance with the spaces occupied by the keys with which they are associated.

9. In a machine having a keyboard, the combination of a feeding device and means for controlling the operation thereof, the feeding device comprising an oscillatable member, a pawl thereon having a tooth and provided with a slot, an escapement member with which said tooth is adapted to engage, a second pawl pivotally mounted upon a sta tionary part of the machine and having a tooth for engaging said escapement member and having a stud for engaging the slot in i the first pawl, said second pawl also being provided with a shoulder upon which the oscillatable member is adapted to restand by which it'is forced into engagement with said teeth.

10. An escapementdevice comprising an oscillatable member, a pawl thereon having a tooth, an escapement member with which said tooth is adapted to engage, a second pawl ivoted to a stationary element, said second pawl having a tooth for engaging the escapement member and a shoulder upon which said oscillatable member is adapted to rest, means for forcing the tooth on the first pawl into engagement with the escapement member when the oscillatable member is too moved in one direction, and a connection between the said pawls, whereby when the first pawl is carried into engagement with the escapement member the said-second pawl is disengaged from said member.

11. An escapement device, comprising a shaftfan escapement-wheel having teeth and mounted on said shaft, an oscillata-ble member pivoted upon said shaft, means for oscillating said member, a pawl pivoted to a sta- 1 I tionary element and having a tooth for engaging said wheel and a shoulder which the oscillatable member is adapted to engage for forcing said tooth into engagement with the teeth of the escapement-wheel, said pawl 1r 5 also having a stud, a second pawl pivotally 'mounted upon the oscillatable member and gthe escapement- .In testimony W hereq f I have signed filly wheel and a. eurve 0 slt 1" receiving saidname idthis specification inthe presence of, IO

' stud, and a, spring adapted to engage the two subscribing witnesses.

second pawl and.h01d the tooth thereon -51eway from the escapement-wheel, said spring WILLIAM CHARLES PLANK' I also havinia curved portion for forcing the .Wi tnesses:

topth on t e second pawl into engagement .C. C. QO LIDGE, wlth the eseapexnent-wheel. JAMES P SEX. 

